I was fortunate enough to spend three months at the Lisa Sainsbury Library from September to December 2024 as a visiting librarian. Since 2012, the Keio University Media Centre (Library) has sent a librarian to the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures every year as overseas secondment, and I was the tenth person.
During my stay, I assisted with the activities of the library by mainly cataloguing Japanese materials and had opportunities to visit various Japanese studies libraries in the UK and France. The University of East Anglia, University of Cambridge, SOAS, University of London, University of Sheffield, University of Edinburgh, the British Library, the Embassy of Japan in the UK, the Collège de France, the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris, and the Bibliothèque publique d’information all kindly welcomed me during my visit. I also had the chance to participate in a meeting of the JLG (Japan Library Group). I learnt a lot from experiences with the wonderful librarians, who are experts in Japanese studies and Japanese resources. It was particularly valuable for me to interview them about collection management and library catalogues. In spending time as part of the wonderful community that supports Japanese studies, I was reminded of the importance of cooperation between individual librarians. I would like to cherish the connections I have made through this overseas secondment and will continue to consciously cooperate in supporting Japanese studies.
The year 2024 was the 25th anniversary of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures. Various events were organised to celebrate this, and I had opportunities to take part in an international conference and a reception in London. While there I was able to meet former fellows and many people involved in Japanese art research, as well as to see trends in Japanese art research in Europe. I heard many words of appreciation for the contribution of the Institute, and in particular the Lisa Sainsbury Library, to the study of Japanese art. The Lisa Sainsbury Library is very close to researchers. Working with the librarian, Mr. Hirano, I had many opportunities to communicate with researchers and was reminded of the importance of the relationship between libraries and researchers. During my time in Norwich, I had more opportunities to focus on Japan and Japanese art than when I was in Japan before, which gave me a renewed appreciation of its appeal. In addition, my vague perception of Japanese studies abroad has now become more focused on specific researchers and research topics.
I am sincerely grateful to the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures for giving me this precious opportunity. The days I spent learning about library activities and Japanese studies with very kind people, the lovely historic buildings in Norwich, the many delicious food and drink (especially beer!) are treasures for my life. I wish the Institute continued success.
Akina Tobi
Librarian, Keio University Media Centre